How To Stay Active With IBD Featuring Sean Lochran

About IBD

10/07/25

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37m

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Sean Lochran, who lives with IBD and an ileostomy, describes his IBD journey, including complications such as blood clots and adrenal insufficiency. Sean shares advice for staying active on difficult days, including the importance of personalization, hydration, and tracking health data. He debunks misconceptions about exercise with IBD or an ostomy and describes his client-centered approach to fitness coaching, grounded in empathy and lived experience.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD187

This episode sponsored by Fathom Care! Fathom is an AI-powered wellness companion made for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Over 2.4M people in the United States are navigating IBD alone, and Fathom is here to change that. Learn more at: https://fathom.care/

Chapters in this episode:

00:04 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:20 – Sean's Diagnosis Journey
02:59 – Complications: Adrenal Insufficiency and Prednisone
04:08 – Living with Adrenal Insufficiency
05:34 – Blood Clots and IBD
08:36 – Mental Impact of Complications
10:20 – Pre-Diagnosis Fitness and Lifestyle
12:29 – Managing Fatigue and Flare-Ups
14:23 – Sponsor Message: Fathom Care App
16:15 – Coaching Clients: Fatigue vs. Tiredness
17:32 – Tracking and Adjusting Fitness Plans
18:55 – Practical Tips for Staying Active During Flares
23:47 – Weekly Averages and Progress Tracking
25:21 – Misconceptions About Fitness and IBD
26:50 – What It's Like to Work with Sean
30:38 – Learning to Understand Your Body
31:45 – Visiting Scotland: Local Recommendations
34:27 – How to Connect with Sean
36:04 – Closing Remarks and Credits

Find Sean Lochran at:

Instagram: @seanlochrancoaching

Find Amber J Tresca at:

AboutIBD.com: About IBD
Verywell Health: Verywell Health
Facebook: @aboutIBD
Twitter: @aboutIBD
Pinterest: @aboutibd
Instagram: @about_IBD
YouTube: @AboutIBD
Threads: @about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
Web: Cooney Studio
Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Previous Episode

How Patient Stories Change Perspectives and Influence Lawmakers

September 24, 2025

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52m

Every person living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can help change public policy by sharing their story and participating in advocacy events, such as visiting legislators in Washington, D.C. Amber talks to Kelly E. Dwyer, who teaches us how to prepare an elevator speech and gives us practical tips for Hill Day logistics, working within teams, staying emotionally resilient, and following up with staffers. Advocacy is for everyone, and persistence and collaboration can lead to real policy changes to benefit the IBD and chronic illness communities. By the end of the episode, you'll have the real resources you can use to do this work as a patient advocate both locally and nationally. This episode is sponsored by Connecting to Cure. Transcript and more information: https://bit.ly/AIBD186 Chapters:

00:05 Introduction and Guest Background
01:23 The Role and Nature of Patient Advocacy
02:37 The Long Game of Advocacy: Successes and Challenges
04:37 Advocacy vs. Activism and Personal Motivation
06:05 The Importance of Patient Stories in Advocacy
06:52 Crafting and Delivering Your Elevator Speech
11:46 Managing Emotions and Practicing Your Story
15:42 Preparing for Advocacy Day: Research and Teamwork
18:07 Training and Building Confidence for Hill Visits
20:58 Coordinating with Your Advocacy Team
22:38 Practical Logistics: What to Wear and Security
24:42 Navigating Capitol Hill: Accessibility and Facilities
29:26 Managing the Day: Scheduling and Flexibility
32:17 During the Meeting: Structure and Communication
36:04 Group Dynamics and Respectful Storytelling
40:29 Building Relationships and Following Up
42:12 How to Get Involved with Advocacy Groups
44:42 Financial Considerations and Accessibility
45:17 Encouragement and Closing Thoughts on Advocacy
47:12 Lessons Learned the Hard Way
50:33 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
51:22 Outro and Credits

Topics on this episode:

Overview of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Personal experiences of living with IBD and the impact on daily life.
The role of patient advocacy in improving healthcare policies and patient rights.
Challenges faced by patients regarding insurance barriers and treatment access.
Importance of sharing personal stories with legislators to influence policy change.
Distinction between activism and advocacy in the context of healthcare.
Strategies for effective communication and preparation for advocacy efforts.
The significance of teamwork and collaboration in advocacy initiatives.
Resources and organizations that support IBD advocacy and patient education.
Emotional aspects of sharing health experiences and the importance of building relationships with legislative staff.

Find Kelly E. Dwyer at:

Web: https://www.keepingmyshittogether.com
Twitter: @keepingmyshitTG
Instagram: @keepingmyshittogether

Find Amber J Tresca at:

AboutIBD.com: About IBD
Verywell: Verywell Health
Facebook: @aboutIBD
Twitter: @aboutIBD
Pinterest: @aboutibd
Instagram: @about_IBD
YouTube: @AboutIBD
Threads: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
Web: Cooney Studio
YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Next Episode

The Truth About Stigma and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Featuring Mariah Leach, JD, MS

October 15, 2025

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44m

Amber and Mariah discuss how women with chronic illnesses cope with advice on medication use in pregnancy—especially in light of the confusion around acetaminophen. Mariah shares her experiences with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, focusing on changes in medication safety data. They talk about the pressure, stigma, and lack of support for pregnant women, the need for nuanced guidance, and provide resources.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD188

Chapters: